Wire bed-bottom fabric.



J. I. GAIL.

WIRE BED BOTTOM FABRIC. V 1

APPLICATION 1111-111 MAB. 9, 1911.

1,065,.935. v Patented Ju1y1,1913.'

2 SHEETS-SHEET J. F. GAIL.

' WIRE BED BOTTOM FABRIC.

. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 1911.

' Patented July 1, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' @6. a V gi 6.5 \55 J3 J3 L a4 a? F J6 5 4Z2 4; 4% i 7?? W J x N lTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. GAIL, OFKFNOSHA, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE SIMMON$ MANUFACTUR ING COMPANY, OF KENOSHA, WISCONSIN.

WIRE BED-BOTTOM FABRIC.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. GAIL, a citizen of the United States, residingat Kenosha, in the county of Kenosha and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire Bed-Bottom Fabrics, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention pertains to improved forms of metallic fabrics for bed bottoms, couches and the like made up of connected bent wire units in which the crosslinks will be prevented from becoming displaced longitudinally of the lengthwise-disposed links, and in which a minimum amount of wire only consistent with adequate strength will be required, such fabric possessing structural characteristics permitting its elements or units to be readily assembled by machines of comparatively simple construction. It has been heretofore suggested to make the longitudinal chains of such fabric of a plurality of connected wire links, each of which has a pair of substantially parallel strands bent to form a loop or eye at one end and bent at their opposite ends to form a double hook adapted to engage the eye or loop of the next adjacent link, such eyes also acting as convenientv means for attaching the ends of the crosslinks to the longitudinal chains. According tothis invention the ends of the wire strands of each unit which are bent to form the double hook are also bent to form side or lateral loops for the attachment and holding in place of the transverse connectinglinks. In this way a saving of wire is effected, the transverse links are securely held from displacement and the resulting fabric is one the parts of which may be readily assembled by machines of simple construction.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification I have illustrated several embodiments of the invention in order that a full and complete understanding of the same may be had by those skilled in the art.

In these drawings Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a bed-bottom or couch metallic fabric incorporating Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 9, 1911.

Patented July 1, 1913. Serial No. 613,447.

one embodiment of this invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-section on line 2--2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a face view, on a large scale, of one of the longitudinal links of the fabric; Fig. 4: is an edge view of the same; Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the attachment of one longitudinal link with another; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of another embodiment; Fig. 7 is a cross-section on line 77, of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an edge view of the connection between adjacent longitudinal links; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of such connection; Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing another embodiment in the shape and style of the links; Fig. 11 is an edge view of the connection between two of such links; and Fig. 12 is a perspective View of such connection.

As is usual and customary in couch fabrics of this construction, the fabric is composed of a plurality of longitudinally-disposed chains, each composed of a series of interlinked or connected wire links or units bent so as to be of proper shape and form, these parallel chains being transversely connected together at intervals by suitable cross-links. In the construction of fabric shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, each of the links or units 15 of the longitudinal chains is made from a single piece of wire bent at its center to provide a pair of substantially-parallel strands 16 and 17, such bend supplying the link with aloop 18 at one end for the attachment of the opposite end of the next adjacent link. The ends of the two strands 16 and 17 are bent downwardly at 19 so as to pass through the loop 18 of the next link, and the wire after being thus bent downwardly bends upwardly at 20 and then outwardly and inwardly at 21 and 22 to provide the unit or link with a pair of oppositely-disposed outstanding loops or eyes 28, 23, for the accommodation of the downwardly hooked ends 2; of the usual connecting cross-links 25. It should be noticed that the extreme ends of the parts 22 are disposed beneath the strands 16 and 17, thereby protecting the mattress or other covering on the fabric from becoming torn or otherwise injured by such ends. Attention isfurthermore directed to the fact that the loops or eyes 23 are slightly below the plane of the strands 16 and 17, which brings the top surfaces of the cross-links 25 in substantially the same plane as the top surfaces of the parallel strands of the longitudinal links. In a construction of thls kind the separation or pulling apart of the strands 16 and 17 is prevented by the action of the loop portion 18 of the adjacent link which passes around and co-acts with the two hook or loop portions 19 thereof. Further, shifting or movement of the crosslinks 25 longitudinally of the fabric or otherwise is effectively prevented by the action of the loops or eyes 28 of the longitudinal links. 'A fabric of this character presents a substantially smooth top surface, possesses adequate strength for all ordinary purposes, and the parts thereof can be put together or assembled without the necessity of employing a machine of many or com plicated parts.

Turning now to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, it will be apparent that each of the links or units has a pair of strands 30 and 31 and an elongated loop 32 for the attachment thereto of the succeeding link. The end of each of the substantially parallel longitudinal strands 30 and 31 is bent outwardly at 33 and then inwardly at 34, whereby to supply each of the links at one of its ends with a pair of lateral eyes or loops 35 for the attachment of the cross-links, as in the construction described above. In this instance, as in the other one, the extreme ends of the wire are disposed beneath the strands 3O and31, thereby protecting the mattress or other covering from damage. In this embodiment of the invention the end of each link or chain section provided with the lateral loops or eyes is somewhat flatter than the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, and the opposite end of each of the links differs from that of the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and l in that its terminal portion 36 is bent or offset downwardly so that the top surface of the completed fabric is substantially flat. In other words, the failure to bend downwardly the hook portions in this link is compensated for by the bending at 36 at the other end of the link.

Another embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 10 to 12, inclusive, and in this instance the strands 4:0 and ll of each of the links is in the same plane as the short end connecting portion 42. In other words, this part of the link is like that shown in Figs. 1, 3, 1 and 5. The end of each of these strands is bent down at 43 to form a pair of hooks or loops for connection with the end of the next link, and the terminal portions of the wire are bent outwardly and then inwardly at 141 and 15 to equip reach of the links at one end with the two side loops 16 with which the cross-links co-act. In F 10 and 12 the strands 4:0 and ll have been shown some what separated at the ends provided with the lateral loops, but it is to be understood that these strands can be substantially together or in contact if desired, as shown, for example, in Figs. 1 and 6. In this case, as in the others, the extreme ends of the wire are protected and covered by other portions of the link.

I wish to have it understood that while I have herein described and set forth at length several embodiments of the invention, the latter is capable of many other embodiments, and therefore the appended claims are not to be limited and restricted to the precise details of construction herein described and illustrated. Stated, otherwise, many minor mechanical changes may be made in the fabric constructions shown and described without departure from thesubstance and essence of the invention and without the sacrifice of any substantial benenation of a plurality of connected longitudinal links, each formed ofa strip of wire bent intermediate lts ends to provide a loop and a pair of longitudinal strands, the terminal portions of the wire being bent-to extend through the loop of the next link and. shaped to provide a pair of lateral eyes for,

the attachment of cross-links, the loop end of each link belngbent downwardly, and the extreme ends of the wire lying a d acent to said longitudinal strands, substantially as described.

2. In a wire bed-bottom fabric, the com-' bination of a plurality of connected longi' tudinal links, each formed of a strip of wirebent intermediate its ends to provide a loop and a-pair of longitudinal strands, the terminal portions of the wire being bent downwardly to extend through the loop of the nextlink and thence bent baclnvardly,

outwardly and'inwardly respectively topro 3 vide a pair of lateral. eyes for theat-tachment of cross-links, substantially as described.

3. In a wire bed-bottom fabric, the combination of a plurality of connected longitudinal links, each formed of a strip of wire bent intermediate its ends to provide a loop and a pair of longitudinal strands, the terminal portions of the wire being bent to extend through the loop of the next link and shaped with a continuous construction from said first bending to provide a pair of minat-ing protectedly beneath the strands from which they are formed, substantially as described.

4. In a wire bed-bottom fabric, the combination of a plurality of connected longitudinal links, each formed of a strip of wire bent intermediate its ends to provide a loop and a pair of longitudinal strands, the terminal portions of the wire being bent to extend through the loop of the next link and thence bent backwardly, outwardly and inwardly respectively to provide a pair of lateral eyes for the attachment of cross links, one end portion of each of said longitudinal links being disposed downwardly whereby the fabric may present a substantiallyfiat surface, substantially as described.

5. In a wire bed-bottom fabric, the combination of a plurality of longitudinal chains, each composed of a series of connected longitudinal links, each of said links being formed of a strip of wire bent intermediate its ends to provide a loop and a pair of longitudinal strands, the terminal portions of the wire being bent to extend through the loop of the next link and shaped with a continuous construction from said first bending to provide a pair of oppositely extended lateral eyes, with the extreme ends of the wire upon the eye portions and lying below and protected by said strands and a plurality of cross-links connecting said chain's together by engagement with said eyes, substantially as described.

6. In a wire bed-bottom fabric, the combination of a plurality of substantially-parallel chains, each composed of a series of connected longitudinal links, each of said links being formed of a strip of wire bent intermediate its ends to provide a loop and a pair of longitudinal strands, the terminal portions of the wire being bent downwardly to extend through the loop of the next link and shaped to provide a pair of oppositely extended lateral eyes with the extreme ends of the wire below and protected by said strands, and a plurality of crosslinks con-' necting said chains together by engagement with said eyes, substantially as described.

7. In a wire bed-bottom fabric, the combination of a plurality of substantiallyparallel chains, each composed of a series of connected longitudinal links, each of said links being formed of a strip of wire bent intermediate its ends to provide a loop and a pair of longitudinal strands, the terminal portions of the wire being bent to extend through the loop of the next link and shaped to provide a pair of oppositely-extended lateral eyes, one end portion of each of said links being disposed downwardly whereby the fabric may present a substantially-flat of longitudinal strands, said top surface, and a plurality of cross-links connecting said chains together by engagement with said eyes, substantially as described.-

8. As an article of manufacture, a wire unit formed of a strip of wire bent inter mediate its ends to provide a loop and a pair loop end being bent out of the general plane of said strands, the terminal portions of the wire being bent so that the strands will have a continuous form first to provide a double hook or loop and then shaped to provide a pair of oppositely-extended lateral eyes, the ends of the wire lying beneath said strands, substantially as described.

9. As an article of manufacture, a wire unit formed of wire bent intermediate its ends to provide a loop and a pair of longitudinal strands, the terminal portions of the wire being bent in a continuous form to provide a double hook or loop and thence bent rearwardly, laterally and inwardly to provide a pair of oppositely-extended side eyes, the ends of the wire being formed into said eyes and the extreme ends of the wire being below and protected by the strands from which said eyes are formed, substantially as described.

10. As an article of manufacture, a wire unit formed of a strip of wire bent intermediate its ends to provide a loop and a pair of longitudinal strands, the terminal portions of the wire being bent downwardly and thence rearwardly and upwardly to form a hook, and finally bent outwardly and inwardly to form a pair of oppositely-extended lateral eyes, said eyes being formed as a continuation of the hook portion, the extreme ends of the wire being upon the eye portions, one end portion of said unit being disposed downwardly, substantially as described.

11. As an article of manufacture, a wire unit formed of a strip of wire bent intermediate its ends to provide a loop and a pair of longitudinal strands, the terminal portions of the wire being bent in a continuous construction downwardly and thence rearwardly and upwardly to form a hook, and thence outwardly and inwardly to form oppositely-extended lateral eyes, with the extreme ends of the wire upon the eye portions and lying below the strands from which said eyes are formed, substantially as described.

12. In a wire bed-bottom fabric, the combination of a plurality of substantially-parallel chains, each composed of a series of connected longitudinal links, each of said links being formed of a strip of wire bent intermediate its ends to provide a loop and a pair of longitudinal strands, the terminal portions of the wire being bent to extend through the loop of the next link and shaped to provide a pair of oppositely extended lateral eyes with the extreme ends of the Wire upon the eye portions and lying be 5 low and protected by the strands from which said eyes are formed, and a plurality of cross-links connecting said chains together by engagement with said eyes, substantially as described. V

JOHN F. GAIL.

Vitnesses HENRY M. HUXLEY, L. E. HANNEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

